What is the difference between EMC testing (Electromagnetic compatibility) and EMI testing (Electromagnetic interference)
Electronic – EMC testing vs. EMI testing
emcemi-filteringproduction-testingverification
Related Solutions
You can make single board products with fast electronics pass CE/FCC in plastic or no housing.
It is easier if you:
- keep all cables attached in one end only
- use fewer cables
- specify a specific simple application for the FCC/CE test
- don't have things that stick off the board (display, large connectors etc.)
- make a very low impedance power distribution network (PDN)
- have good filtering on the interfaces off the board
It is very difficult if you have multiple boards (plug-in, stacked, cable connected etc.). Actually I would specify a Faraday cage type box if you have multiple boards.
If you absolutely must include a display - try to get one with LVDS interface.
If you have a radio as part of your design, some of this becomes a bit more complex.
I suspect many go fairly light on the CE/FCC thing and self-certify with limited time spent on measurements. It is highly unlikely anyone will ever sue you for an eval board that is out of FCC/CE spec and most of these boards runs in fairly limited volumes.
Also: I have seen some outfits in China offer to do very cheap CE/FCC marking for you. You get the paperwork - they get some money. Win-win. :-)
IEC 61000 are "basic" standards which contains the measurement techniques. IEC 61326 is a Product Family standard which contains conditions, limits and performance criteria for equipment for measurement, control and lab use.
Standards are applicable in this order
- Product Standard, if applicable, otherwise
- Product Family Standard, if applicable, otherwise
- Generic Standard
61326 is mentioned in this hierarchy here:
The structure of EMC standards
EMC requirements are specified in a vast number of standard documents issued by various committees and organizations. The documents are organized as follows:
Basic standards: Describe the phenomenon, characterize the test equipment and give guidance how tests shall be performed and documented. Basic standards like IEC 61000-4-x form the lowest level in standard's hierarchy.
Generic standards: Specify test levels for a certain range of application, referring to the Basic Standards for general information. Generic standards give minimum requirements, e.g. for CE Mark (EN 61000-6-1). Generic Standards stand above the Basic standards.
Product Family standards: Are used where exist for a certain category of products. They specify test levels and performance criteria. EN 61326, for instance, forms such a Product Family standard dealing with the EMC requirements of equipment for measurement, control laboratory use.
Product standards: Are the most preferred standards as they give strict requirements for a certain product. EN 61800-3 for instance is a Product Standard for adjustable speed electrical power drive systems. Apart from the requirements for EMC this standard also defines special test procedures. Product Standards form the highest level in standard's hierarchy.
Source: EM Test
but all can refer to the basic standards for the measurement techniques.
Best Answer
Electromagnetic Interference is a radiated or conducted signal that is unwanted that you are trying to avoid.
Electromagnetic Compatibility encompasses the standards and testing of equipment so that it can generally be expected to function properly in a shared environment. This involves testing devices to make sure that the EMI produced is under some limit, and testing to ensure that the susceptibility is above some threshold where most complying devices won't disturb it (or damage it, depending on the standard).
Additionally EMC susceptibility testing can check for immunity to environmental factors such as static discharge (ESD) and line transients that can occur in normal use.